Master-planned developments fuel growth in Katy ISD

Cell-phone use on junior high campuses may be OK at after-school events

JENNIFER FRIEDBERG, Chronicle Correspondent

Published 5:30 am, Wednesday, April 19, 2006

The growth trend for Katy ISD is expected to continue with the potential for it to nearly double in size in 10 years, a demographer told the school board at its work-study meeting Wednesday night.

By 2015 enrollment is projected to reach 83,418, said Pat Guseman, president of the College Station firm Population and Survey Analysts, who has been working with Katy ISD for 10 years. Current enrollment is 48,247.

"Individuals choose where they want to live based on school districts," she said. "Even if they're 24 without children buying their first home."

For the overall Houston area, the population is moving to the north and west, she said.

In a few years, "Katy might have a much higher density than it does today," Guseman said.

This trend, officials said, highlights the need for the $261.5 million school bond voters will decide on May 13.

"It's essential for us to stay on top of the growth," said Superintendent Leonard Merrell. "It's also essential for us to identify where the population will expand and where our buildings need to be."

In her report, Guseman highlighted areas of the district that would see the most growth with the southwest portion of Katy outpacing other locations due to a concentration of planned neighborhood developments.

The district added 3,601 students this school year, an 8 percent increase.

"That's a huge increase in student population and a major responsibility for any district," Guseman told the board.

Looking at potential enrollment figures when Katy is completely built out — omitting the fourth of the district that lies in a flood plain — Guseman said enrollment could reach 104,000.